South Savo Wellbeing Services County Eloisa
Social and healthcare services and emergency services are provided in the 12 municipalities of South Savo in about 180 locations.
There are about 7,500 professionals working in social and health services and emergency services in the region.
The wellbeing services county is self-governing. The county council is the highest decision-making body in the wellbeing services county and it is responsible for its operations and finances. Residents of the wellbeing service county have the right to vote in the county elections, where the county councillors are chosen. The first county elections in Finland’s history were held in January 2022. In the future, county elections will always be organised at the same time as municipal elections.
Wellbeing services counties primarily function through state funding, the basis of which is defined in legislation.
Municipalities in the wellbeing services county
The wellbeing services county is responsible for delivering social, health and emergency services in the South Savo county, which includes 12 municipalities. The municipalities of South Savo are Enonkoski, Hirvensalmi, Juva, Kangasniemi, Mikkeli, Mäntyharju, Pertunmaa, Pieksämäki, Puumala, Rantasalmi, Savonlinna and Sulkava.
The combined population of the municipalities in the wellbeing services county is approximately 130,000. The population almost doubles with seasonal residents.
Formation of South Savo Wellbeing Services County Eloisa
Before January 1, 2023, the responsibility for organizing social, health, and rescue services in the South Savo region rested with municipalities and joint municipal authorities.
As part of the wellbeing services county reform, the former authorities South Savo community of municipalities (Essote), East Savo community of municipalities (Sosteri), South Savo rescue services, and Vaalijala community of municipalities ceased to exist and merged into a new organization called the South Savo Wellbeing Services County Eloisa. Additionally, the social and health services of Pieksämäki city and the outsourced social and health services of Sulkava and Rantasalmi municipalities were transferred to the wellbeing services county’s responsibility.
As a result of the wellbeing services county reform, Vaalijala community of municipalities’s operations were divided between the South Savo Wellbeing Services County and the North Savo Wellbeing Services County. Most of Vaalijala’s activities remained within the South Savo Wellbeing Services County, while residential care homes, activity centers, and Vaalijala’s North Savo outpatient clinic services were transferred to the North Savo Wellbeing Services County. Vaalijala’s expertise and support center continue to provide specialized rehabilitation services within the South Savo Wellbeing Services County.
